|
|
Post by jake1tut on Aug 4, 2016 11:58:39 GMT -5
Hey everyone! I have the XPA-2 Gen 2 with an Emo preamp as well.
As you know the XPA-2 Gen 2 outputs 300W @ 8Ohms
My Polk Tsx550T speakers keep blowing tweeters so I'm looking for a different set. Everyone's talking about Tekton and their Pendragons which sound nice, but I'd like some additional opinions please!
I am very interested in hearing about some vintage speakers that can handle the 300W if anyone has information there too.
Also interested in DIY if there are any crafty engineers in the audience!
Budget is $2500 Max.
P.S. I'm an engineer so I am really looking for a project even if I do buy a pair. =D
|
|
|
|
Post by motobman on Aug 4, 2016 12:13:12 GMT -5
I have a set of Klipsch RP-280f's that work well with that amp, but that is about half of your budget, im sure there are "Better" speakers out there. I really like the looks of the new PSB T3's...
Moto
|
|
stiehl11
Emo VIPs 
Give me available light!
Posts: 7,269
|
Post by stiehl11 on Aug 4, 2016 12:23:03 GMT -5
I sincerely recommend Phase Technologies PC-9.5 full-range towers. I can't say enough about these speakers.
|
|
LCSeminole
Global Moderator 
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,847
|
Post by LCSeminole on Aug 4, 2016 12:55:05 GMT -5
Before you get new speakers, don't you want to know why you keep blowing tweeters?
|
|
|
|
Post by Cogito on Aug 4, 2016 13:24:56 GMT -5
I sincerely recommend Phase Technologies PC-9.5 full-range towers. I can't say enough about these speakers. Great speakers and I'm a big fan of Phase Tech, but these are over budget. If he has the room, I would strongly suggest he listen to a pair of Magnepan MG 1.7i as they will take advantage of everything that XPA-2 Gen.2 can dish out. |
|
stiehl11
Emo VIPs
Give me available light!
Posts: 7,269
|
Post by stiehl11 on Aug 4, 2016 13:31:29 GMT -5
I sincerely recommend Phase Technologies PC-9.5 full-range towers. I can't say enough about these speakers. Great speakers and I'm a big fan of Phase Tech, but these are over budget. If he has the room, I would strongly suggest he listen to a pair of Magnepan MG 1.7i as they will take advantage of everything that XPA-2 Gen.2 can dish out. Found a shop in Illinois earlier this year selling a pair for right at $2,500. The PC-3.5 is a very good alternative, but may require a sub to get the low stuff. |
|
|
|
Post by Cogito on Aug 4, 2016 14:48:32 GMT -5
Great speakers and I'm a big fan of Phase Tech, but these are over budget. If he has the room, I would strongly suggest he listen to a pair of Magnepan MG 1.7i as they will take advantage of everything that XPA-2 Gen.2 can dish out. Found a shop in Illinois earlier this year selling a pair for right at $2,500. The PC-3.5 is a very good alternative, but may require a sub to get the low stuff. Those 3.5s go pretty low on their own! He would just need to budget a decent set of stands. Wharfedale Jade 7s are on sale everywhere for $2500, normally $4200.00. They are a fantastic deal, sound incredible and built like tanks. |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 4, 2016 14:50:05 GMT -5
Yeah uhhh how are you blowing these tweeters? If you are looking for loud power then the Tekton Penragons selling now for $2000 is a great bet. Get the 4 ohm version. You can also look at some of JTR speakers which simply get ridiculously loud.
I imagine at that volume level quality is not the priority right?!
|
|
|
|
Post by jake1tut on Aug 5, 2016 8:17:15 GMT -5
I found a pair of used pendragons for 1500. They have all the upgrades available from Tekton and they are only 2 years old. What do you guys think?
|
|
|
|
Post by pallpoul on Aug 5, 2016 8:17:49 GMT -5
I found a pair of used pendragons for 1500. They have all the upgrades available from Tekton and they are only 2 years old. What do you guys think? go for it. ! |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Aug 5, 2016 8:25:24 GMT -5
How big of a room are you talking about?
Pendragons are a rather large speaker and will need room to be full bodied.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 5, 2016 8:40:17 GMT -5
The designer says they do well in smaller rooms too. However yes they are a large speaker so some room size would beg ood. for instance, I'm not entirely sure it will keep its coherence in my small room.
|
|
|
|
Post by jake1tut on Aug 5, 2016 9:03:33 GMT -5
How big of a room are you talking about? Pendragons are a rather large speaker and will need room to be full bodied. It's a small room, maybe 20 x 20 and its an apartment. But I'm buying these as a long term investment. I plan to buy a house early next year so if 1500 is a sweet deal I'd like to snag them. |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Aug 5, 2016 9:25:29 GMT -5
These sound very nice!   |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Aug 5, 2016 9:26:11 GMT -5
Snag them, not my reason for asking, had nothing to do with their cost but rarher their response in your room. Armed with the info that they (you) will be moving to a house with a larger room is significant. Get them! Get them now!  |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Aug 8, 2016 15:59:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by vcautokid on Aug 8, 2016 16:42:45 GMT -5
I think the XPA-2 is wonderful with a wide variety of speakers. From Planars to Elecrostatics, to all dynamic. I paid close note to you saying that you are blowing tweeters.
I think any speaker you select should be followed up with a close look at your listening habits so as not to damage the next speakers you buy. I owned the XPA-2, and it will deliver allot. But some care has to be exercised to get the most out of it without over doing it.
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Aug 8, 2016 17:09:26 GMT -5
I think the XPA-2 is wonderful with a wide variety of speakers. From Planars to Elecrostatics, to all dynamic. I paid close note to you saying that you are blowing tweeters. I think any speaker you select should be followed up with a close look at your listening habits so as not to damage the next speakers you buy. I owned the XPA-2, and it will deliver allot. But some care has to be exercised to get the most out of it without over doing it. Agreed, at least in part. LISTENING for distortion at high levels is a Dead-Giveaway that you've got problems in the mail. Tweeters have the LOWEST power handling capacity of all drivers and will destroy themselves, even with distortion products generated by LOWER frequency drivers. (harmonics and such) Now, as to which speaker to buy? DO NOT listen to anybody except those who you spent time with and listening to speakers. I like Maggies. So what? They might not play loudly enough for the OP. They are an easy load except for being low sensitivity. 'Stats might not play loudly enough for you, either, and SOME have very strange loads above 10khz or so, where impedance drops like a rock and phase angles make even better amps pant. Best Advice? GO OUT AND LISTEN to stuff. Only YOU know what you value and what you are looking for. |
|
|
|
Post by Porscheguy on Aug 8, 2016 17:23:02 GMT -5
You should definitely get speakers you like.
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Aug 9, 2016 1:55:52 GMT -5
I'd add ONE other thing. If the OP actually does go for the DIY speaker build, I'd urge him to go for Bi / Tri amp and use some kind of DSP / Crossover. The MIniDSP stuff is well regarded and has both flexible and USEFUL software along with a calibrated mic. If I were going DIY you couldn't talk me in to a speaker level crossover for ANY reason. With 2-in and 4-out per channel along with multiple Paramtric EQ options AND crossovers from 6db/octave to 24 or 48 db/octave this gets you right in the sweet spot. www.minidsp.com/images/documents/Product%20Brief-miniDSP%202x8%20Kit.pdf |
|
